How to Say "we can" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “we can” is “podemos” — use 'podemos' for present ability or capability, directly stating that 'we are able to do something now'..
podemos
/poh-DEH-mohs//poˈðemos/
Examples
Nosotros podemos levantar la mesa.
We can lift the table.
¡Claro que podemos terminar el proyecto a tiempo!
Of course we can finish the project on time!
Podemos ver el mar desde nuestra ventana.
We can see the sea from our window.
The 'Two Verb' Rule
When 'podemos' is followed by another action, that second verb stays in its original form (like 'hablar', 'comer', 'vivir'). For example, 'Podemos comer' (We can eat).
Can vs. Know How
Mistake: “Using 'podemos' to say you know how to do something, like 'Podemos hablar español.'”
Correction: Use 'sabemos' for skills. Say 'Sabemos hablar español' (We know how to speak Spanish). Use 'podemos' for ability in the moment: 'Podemos hablar ahora' (We can talk now).
podamos
/po-DA-mos//poˈða.mos/
Examples
Ojalá podamos ir a la fiesta.
Hopefully we can go to the party.
El profesor nos dio más tiempo para que podamos terminar el proyecto.
The teacher gave us more time so that we can finish the project.
Es posible que no podamos llegar hasta mañana.
It's possible that we won't be able to arrive until tomorrow.
The 'Wishing and Hoping' Verb Form (Subjunctive)
'Podamos' is a special form of 'poder' (to be able to) used after phrases that express doubt, desire, or possibility, like 'espero que' (I hope that) or 'es posible que' (it's possible that). It signals that what you're saying isn't a sure thing.
Using 'Podemos' Instead of 'Podamos'
Mistake: “Espero que podemos ir al cine.”
Correction: Espero que **podamos** ir al cine. After a 'wishing' phrase like 'espero que', the verb needs to change to this special form. 'Podemos' is for stating facts, like 'Sabemos que podemos ir' (We know we can go).
podremos
poh-DREH-mos/poˈðɾemos/
Examples
Si ahorramos un poco, podremos comprar ese coche nuevo el año que viene.
If we save a little, we will be able to buy that new car next year.
Una vez que termine la lluvia, por fin podremos salir al jardín.
Once the rain stops, we will finally be able to go out to the garden.
Gracias a la tecnología, podremos comunicarnos con el equipo en todo momento.
Thanks to technology, we will be able to communicate with the team at all times.
Future Tense Irregularity
This word uses the Spanish future tense, which always refers to actions that haven't happened yet. The trick here is that the base verb 'poder' drops the 'e' and adds an 'r' to create the special future stem: PODE R -> PODR. This helps you pronounce the word smoothly!
The 'Nosotros' Form
The '-emos' ending is your signal that the action applies to 'nosotros' (we). It is consistent across almost all 'we' verb forms in the future tense.
Future vs. Present
Mistake: “Using 'podemos' (we can/we are able now) when you mean the future ability.”
Correction: Use 'podremos' for future capability ('Mañana podremos ir'), and 'podemos' for present capability ('Ahora podemos ir').
Present vs. Future Ability
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